Adding a 'support system' for disadvantaged children

Resolution No. 55 of the Hai Phong City People's Council has come into effect as a "pillar of support" for many disadvantaged and vulnerable children.

Thanks to the subsidies from Resolution 55, Mr. Khoa's family has less to worry about when taking care of their two young children.

Resolution 55, effective from January 1, 2026, not only increases the support level but also expands the scope of beneficiaries and extends the duration of benefits, contributing to building confidence and creating a foundation for tens of thousands of children in Hai Phong city to have the opportunity to improve their lives.

Resolution No. 55 of the Hai Phong City People's Council is like a "lifeline".

In their small house in Vu Xa village, Hai Hung commune, Vu Cong Khoa's family has been struggling for many years. Khoa's health is poor, preventing him from working, so the entire economic burden falls on his wife, who earns about 7 million dong a month as a factory worker. With three young children of school age, the family's expenses are always strained.

From the beginning of 2026, when Resolution 55 takes effect, two of Mr. Khoa's three children under 16 years old will receive an allowance of 1.5 million VND/child/month, along with 100% coverage of health insurance costs. While this support may not be substantial compared to their overall needs, for Mr. Khoa's family, it is a real "lifeline".

Mr. Khoa shared: “Previously, there were times when I thought about taking my children out of school because I couldn't afford the expenses. Now that we have a monthly allowance, my family feels more at ease, and the children have the opportunity to receive a proper education.”

Resolution 55 not only targets near-poor households like Mr. Khoa's family, but also more special cases, such as children who are the third generation affected by Agent Orange. The case of Phan Chi Thanh (Hong Bang ward) is one example.

Born into a disadvantaged family and suffering from a congenital blood disease, Thanh is currently receiving assistance under Government Decree 20/2021. However, since Resolution 55 came into effect, the support for him has been increased by 250,000 VND/month, raising the total allowance to 2 million VND/month, and he also receives full coverage for health insurance costs.

According to a review by Hai Phong city, approximately 14,000 children are eligible to benefit from the policy under Resolution 55, with a total estimated budget of about 200 billion VND per year.

According to Mr. Pham Van Hanh, Chairman of the People's Committee of Hai Hung commune, the locality has determined that implementing the Resolution is not just about paying subsidies, but also about accompanying, monitoring, and ensuring that the children have full access to their rights regarding healthcare, education, and comprehensive development.

Holistic approach

With its excellent policies, Resolution 55 of the City People's Council will become an important "support" for disadvantaged and vulnerable children. Photo: NGUYEN NGUYEN

The highlight of Resolution 55 lies not only in the increased level of support, but also in its comprehensive and sustainable approach to child protection and care.

The resolution significantly expands the scope of beneficiaries. It is no longer limited to children from poor and near-poor households; the policy now covers children from newly-escaped-poverty households, disabled children who are third-generation victims of chemical poisoning, children without parental support, abused children, and children infected with HIV/AIDS…

The principle of "leaving no one behind" clearly demonstrates a child-centered approach, ensuring that all vulnerable children have the opportunity to receive support.

The resolution designs support levels to approximate the multidimensional poverty line. This ensures that the policy is not only relief-oriented but also contributes to genuinely improving the living conditions of children. For certain target groups, the support level is calculated at 1.5 times the social assistance standard. This is a significant increase compared to previous policies.

According to Mr. Vu Hong Quan, Deputy Head of the Population and Children Department, the progressive aspect of Resolution 55 is that it not only supports "enough to live," but also aims for "quality of life." This represents a significant shift in thinking regarding social security policies.

For children from households that have recently escaped poverty, support is maintained for a period of 36 months. This is a "pivotal" period, helping families avoid the risk of falling back into poverty.

According to Ms. Nguyen Thi Van An, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Hong Bang Ward, many families have recently escaped poverty but still have unstable incomes. The three-year support policy will give them time to stabilize their lives.

Furthermore, providing 100% health insurance coverage not only reduces the financial burden on families but also ensures children have timely access to medical services, especially in cases of prolonged illness.

Furthermore, the principle of "receiving the highest benefit" when an individual is eligible for multiple support categories is also reasonable, avoiding policy overlaps while still ensuring maximum benefits for children.

Overall, Resolution 55 clearly demonstrates three pillars: broad coverage, sufficient support, and long-term sustainability. This approach is consistent with the requirements of modern social development, where social security is not only a responsibility but also an investment in the future.

In Hai Phong, with approximately 14,000 children benefiting from the policy and funding of around 200 billion VND annually, Resolution 55 is contributing to building a solid social security ecosystem. More importantly, this policy is kindling hope for many families, helping children have access to education, healthcare, and comprehensive development.

CONFIDANT

Source: https://baohaiphong.vn/them-diem-tua-cho-tre-kho-khan-540480.html